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New software at MSP means faster, less intrusive security lines

Federal officials say upgraded software at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport will mean faster and less intrusive security scanning for passengers.

The system will replace one that gave Transportation Security Administration employees an X-ray view of air travelers' bodies, a prospect that made some people uncomfortable and raised concerns over privacy.

Tom Connors, the TSA's security director for Minnesota, said the new security system only shows a generic computer generated outline of a passenger's body.

"In addition the new system automatically detects potential threat items ... without the need for an office to view the image in a remote location," Connors said.

Connors said the upgraded imaging software should send passengers through airport security more quickly that the old system.

The TSA is spending nearly $3 million on the software upgrades at more than 40 U.S. airports.